14 Apr 2012: Brisbane Council Elections 2012: Scrap Maroon CityGlider ...

[ozbob]

Media release 14 April 2012

Brisbane Council Elections 2012: Scrap Maroon CityGlider & other transport issues within the BCC

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has highlighted active and public transport issues in the upcoming BCC elections.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track welcomes the focus on transport issues in the upcoming Brisbane City Council Elections. Candidates have promised new or upgrades for CityCat stops at Milton, Kangaroo Point, Bulimba and our understanding is there may be one in planning for West End as well. We welcome these undertakings however, we think the service pattern should also be reviewed as adding more stops will reduce service speed and increase journey times if the current 'stop all stops' paradigm is maintained."

"RAIL Back On Track welcomes the proposal to link Toombul Rail Station with Toombul Bus interchange. Toombul is a major bus interchange and we would welcome a 'busway style' pedestrian overpass as it will assist a 'think bus, fill train' network model and support a Core Frequent Network based on bus-to-rail connections."

"There are some key undertakings we are yet to see from Lord Mayoral candidates, for example:

A commitment to work with the State Government on delivering a bus interconnection for Legacy Way with the Inner Northern Busway so that 'super-express' buses can use it to access the Centenary Suburbs, which is a public transport 'no-go' zone at the moment.

A commitment to work with the State Government on delivering CityCycle and GoCard integration.

An explicit, written blanket permission issued to TransLink to allow any bus operator to use Queen Street Bus Station, King George Square Station, the Eleanor Schonell Bridge and have stops in Adelaide Street and any CBD street that already has a BT bus stop on it.

A commitment to scrap the Maroon CityGlider which adds no new mobility to the network, and replace it with a BulimbaGlider or a Bulimba BUZ service, which will allow inland parts of Bulimba, Hawthorne and Balmoral to connect to the citywide Core Frequent Network. The minimum basic network required to properly connect the CBD with the suburbs, and the suburbs with each other. Bulimba is also a public transport 'no-go' zone at current, and we have previously detailed the shortcomings extensively."

"Return of the Coronation Drive Bus lane, even if only during peak hour. Give it back!!"

"A major and aggressive expansion of plain bicycle racks that permit locking to the frame around Brisbane, in both the city and suburban areas. It isn't only motorists that have difficulty finding a parking space!"

References:

SEQ: Core Frequent Network - Council Elections 2012: Bulimba Ferry Terminal Upgrade http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8074.0

SEQ: Centenary - CBD Rocket buses? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8052.0

Brisbane: Lord Mayor Candidates - Scrap the Maroon CityGlider proposal! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8037.0

SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Centenary Residents' push for Centenary BUZ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7935.0

SEQ: City Cycle scheme - how to fix it without consultants fees .. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6156.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Quest South East Advertiser 18th April 2012 page 5



Busy Bulimba could use its own Cityglider service

Busy Bulimba could use its own Cityglider service

PUBLIC transport advocacy group Back on Track has called for a Bulimba Cityglider bus, labelling current bus services to the area ''an embarrassment''.

The group said residents' concerns about local public transport issues had failed to be addressed.

Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the lord mayoral candidates should scrap the proposed Maroon Cityglider route, which would run between Paddington and Stones Corner, in favour of a new Bulimba service.

Mr Dow said commuters experienced wait times of almost an hour after 7pm on weekdays and up to 1½ hours on Sundays.

"A Bulimba Glider would relieve major parking issues, improve access to the popular cinemas and service a restaurant district that relies on late night trade," he said. "Current services in the area are grossly inadequate, shameful and an embarrassment.

"The 232 bus service is terrible – driving into a maze of 28 different streets and 1hr waits, the service resembles a safari tour rather than a public transport service."

Morningside councillor Shayne Sutton blamed overdevelopment in Bulimba and Hawthorne for the area's public transport woes.

She said better public transport services were essential for the area.

"It's become difficult to get in and out of the Peninsula, particularly during the morning peak," she said.

"We need more frequent services on Sundays and later into the evening. I will continue to lobby for it."

LNP candidate for Morningside Bradley Dean said he would lobby Translink for better bus services to the area if they were required.

[somebody]

LNP candidate for Morningside Bradley Dean said he would lobby Translink for better bus services to the area if they were required.

So he promises to do nothing, or possibly something?  Great.

[#Metro]

He's not committing... maybe a followup

[Gazza]

LNP candidate for Morningside Bradley Dean said he would lobby Translink for better bus services to the area if they were required.

So he promises to do nothing, or possibly something?  Great.

Indeed.
Well they are required, so he should be lobbying.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 5th May 2012 page 21

Bus plan is 'a waste'

[somebody]

I'd go to Bulimba before Ipswich.  I guess it depends on your focus though - are you providing a social service to the most disadvantaged or trying to increase patronage?

[ozbob]

You need to do both.  The Queensland Times is an Ipswich newspaper, obviously to highlight the Maroon City Glider it has to be in that context.

Sigh ...

Interesting load data, the 515 is 1/8 of the CityGlider pax loads.  When the TransLink web link to the CityGlider timetable comes back up I might count the number of services in a day for each and see how they compare.

[ozbob]

CityGlider has 80 services in a 24 hour period.

515 has 24 services.    Yahoo! the 515 is performing very well relative to the CityGlider LOL  More strength to Ipswich bus improvements!

Above is weekends.

[somebody]

515 has 54 services per weekday "Inbound".  24 would be the number on a Sun/PH. (23 inbound).

[ozbob]

515 has 54 services per weekday "Inbound".  24 would be the number on a Sun/PH. (23 inbound).

Yes, just realised that, 33 ex Yamanto.  Still a good effort as Glider doesn't drop frequency sharply on weekends.  Glider has 94 on weekdays.

[ozbob]

But it goes to show that if frequency is there folks will start to use it ... 

I am pleasantly surprised with the 515 loadings, I reckon it will get better too.  And the data is probably accurate based on go cards.  Most seem to be using go card these days.

[somebody]

Hmm, I guess I'm used to using bus services in denser areas.

[Jonno]

PS an average bus only needs 4.5 passengers to be taking up same roads space as if those people drove (3 cars). A bus therefore caring 45 people represents the roads space of 30 cars.  If it is carrying 60 passengers then that is 45 cars.

An attic carrying 80 passengers is 55 cars.

[Gazza]

I'd go to Bulimba before Ipswich.  I guess it depends on your focus though - are you providing a social service to the most disadvantaged or trying to increase patronage?

I'm all for BUZ in high demand area, but at the same time its bullsh%t when many buses to rail stations in the West are hourly. Its a double whammy on the low frequency rail service to see a drop in frequency again to actually get anywhere off the track.

Even if the rail frequency stays at half hourly to Ispwich for some time, half hourly buses to stations I guess you could say is a bit like a pulse timetable.
You may have to wait 30 mins to start your journey, but at least when you do the journey as a whole would run more smoothly as a result.

[somebody]

Best option is to bring in full time express rail services.  At least the trips are faster and you'd also need 4tph @Richlands.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not going to happen until Kippa Ring and Springfield extensions are up.

[Gazza]

Best option is to bring in full time express rail services

Under which scenario, I still absolutley would be calling for feeders to be half hourly.

[somebody]

Best option is to bring in full time express rail services

Under which scenario, I still absolutley would be calling for feeders to be half hourly.

And you might actually get a bit more use of the option, making it easier to justify.

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Maroon CityGlider through South Brisbane labelled a political stunt


Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track has labelled the Maroon CityGlider as a political stunt. Source: Quest Newspapers

Maroon CityGlider through South Brisbane labelled a political stunt

    by: Lara Lauth, City South News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    May 29, 2012 7:00AM

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said a new Maroon CityGlider service connecting Brisbane's "food and footy" precincts is a political stunt and should be scrapped.

The new service, set to be launched in the next few months, would run through Paddington, Caxton St, the Cultural Centre, South Bank, The Mater Hospital, Gabba stadium and Stones Corner.

Lord Mayor Quirk announced the new route in January as part of his election campaign.

Public and Active Transport Chairman Peter Matic said the new service would reduce traffic congestion on river crossings.

"The Maroon CityGlider will see key cultural and economic areas such as Suncorp Stadium, Caxton St, The Gabba and Stones Corner all linked by one direct high-frequency bus route for the first time so what are they complaining about?"Cr Matic said.

But Mr Dow said the Maroon CityGlider was an "extravagance" Brisbane residents did not need. "It parallels already existing high frequency bus routes," he said.

Mr Dow said RAIL Back on Track believed the money would be better spent improving bus services for the middle- to outer-suburbs of Brisbane.

West End Community Association president Darren Godwell said he was counting down the days until the new service started, until he realised the service would travel through areas that are already heavily congested.

"I find myself sitting in the bus-jams through the busway, at the Cultural Centre and into Adelaide St. They happen twice a day. That southern busway is at capacity. No more buses are getting in there," Mr Godwell said.

"How could this idea have made it past the sharp minds and experienced hands of BCC's/Translink transport planners without resolving the substantive limitations?"

[ozbob]

Media release 30 May 2012

SEQ: Scrap Maroon CityGlider 'Waste on Wheels'

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has highlighted the pending introduction of the Maroon CityGlider.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is clear from our analysis that the Maroon CityGlider has little to do with rational public transport planning. The big, hidden losers in this equation are the residents of Bulimba, the Centenary Suburbs and the Northwestern suburbs, all of which have local resident petitions for more bus services to their public transport 'no go' zones. These residents should be outraged, because funds that could have been spent in their local area are now being spent on Government waste and duplication."

"Suncorp Stadium is already served by the high frequency 385 BUZ and the Ipswich Rail line which has trains every 15 minutes. Caxton Street is directly connected to Roma Street busway and train stations with services every few minutes. During game periods, extra trains and buses are put on anyway. Meanwhile, the people of Bulimba languish with one and a half hour waits for their bus on weekends. A Bulimba-Glider would be far more appropriate."

"Woolloongabba is served by the high frequency BUZ 100 Inala and BUZ 200 Carindale services as well as other busway services. Logan Road has access to the 174, 175, 200, 203 and 204 services that combine to provide a high frequency service along this road. Meanwhile, the people of the Centenary suburbs languish with 9 different bus services that have so many variations that it is confusing and as they all come at low frequencies or are peak hour only, so none of them are useful!"

"Stones Corner has a brand new $465 million dollar busway station that is served by the high frequency BUZ 222 Carindale, 209 UQ Lakes and also has access to the 203, 204, 174 and 175 services that provide high frequency service there already. Across the road from this busway station is another busway station (Buranda) and on top of that is a train station! Can you see what we are tying to get at here? Hello? Meanwhile, the people of the Northwest put up with slow, hourly services."

"Of course the Maroon CityGlider duplicates existing high frequency bus services and doesn't fit properly and integrate into the rest of the network. That's because Brisbane City Council did the network planning for it, when it really should have been TransLink, which was set up in 2004 to do this job. No other operator has such powers to invent their own services - so why should the BCC? In all likelihood any passengers that catch this new service will be cannibalised from duplicated existing high frequency service - in other words, no significant impact or shift from cars.  Another thing is that road closures when major events are on will mean the 'Maroon Cityglider' is of limited utility and will contribute further to the road congestion mess!"

"Don't get us wrong. We like public transport, but it needs to go where it will be most useful; in suburbs such as Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest. Not on waste."

"Councillor Matic queried ' .. what are they complaining about? ... ' (1). This is what we are complaining about Councillor, stupid and wasteful transport planning when the rest of Brisbane needs improved services! Clear Councillor?"

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. Maroon CityGlider through South Brisbane labelled a political stunt
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8125.msg99122#msg99122

2. Transferring" can be good for you, and good for your city
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

To complete your trip in a world-class transit system, you may have to make a connection, or "transfer" as Americans say.  That is, you may have to get off one transit vehicle and onto another.  You probably don't like doing this, but if you demand no-transfer service, as many people do, you may be demanding a mediocre network for your city.

There are several reasons for this, but let's start with the most selfish one: your travel time.

Asking people to "transfer" is politically unpopular, so the Direct Service option is the politically safe solution, but if we want to maximize mobility with our fixed budget, we should prefer the Connective option.  Consider how long a typical trip takes in each scenario, from the standpoint of a person whose needs to leave or arrive at a particular time.

Attachments:

Attachments

[kazzac]

Someone from here Bulimba/Balmoral and also those other areas mentioned needs to protest loudly.Its shame ful that Bulimba for example is an inner city suburb  and has such woeful bus services on weekends and also at night.Sorry saying that we have Citycat here isnt a good enough excuse,Not everyone here is close to Citycat terminals.

[SurfRail]

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/cityglider/index.htm

All reference to the Maroon CityGlider has vanished. 

Victory?

[somebody]

Seems to be a silent one.

[BrizCommuter]

We are unlikely to be seeing any new bus routes, or further rail timetable changes until after the bus network review - this info is from the horses mouth! If the Maroon CityGlider prevails it will make a mockery of the bus network review.

[Stillwater]

Which horse precisely?  Maybe not the name of the horse, but which stable?  BCC?  Translink or Transport and Main Roads?  Minister?

[#Metro]

Someone from here Bulimba/Balmoral and also those other areas mentioned needs to protest loudly.Its shame ful that Bulimba for example is an inner city suburb  and has such woeful bus services on weekends and also at night.Sorry saying that we have Citycat here isnt a good enough excuse,Not everyone here is close to Citycat terminals.

Well you'd need to organise a stunt. No pants day is popular on subways (YouTube it)

[SurfRail]

We are unlikely to be seeing any new bus routes, or further rail timetable changes until after the bus network review - this info is from the horses mouth! If the Maroon CityGlider prevails it will make a mockery of the bus network review.

They've already disappointed many times since March this year.  Wouldn't be a break in stride for this to be mucked up as well, would it?

[Golliwog]

We are unlikely to be seeing any new bus routes, or further rail timetable changes until after the bus network review - this info is from the horses mouth! If the Maroon CityGlider prevails it will make a mockery of the bus network review.

They've already disappointed many times since March this year.  Wouldn't be a break in stride for this to be mucked up as well, would it?

Only if politicians get involved in it. As long as they just give pointers to what their constituents want, and leave the public servants to actually planning the routes, then I'm confident we may not get exactly what we want, but what we do get should hopefully be an improvement.